Thrust reverser flow limiting valve

ABSTRACT

The present subject matter can be embodied in, among other things, a two-speed thrust reverser actuation system for actuating a thrust reverser element experiencing an assisting load during movement between a stowed and deployed positions. The system includes a hydraulic actuator to move the thrust reverser element between the stowed and deployed positions, and a directional control valve with a regeneration feature including a restrictor and a velocity fuse arranged in parallel with the restrictor. The velocity fuse is configured to close when the assisting load on the thrust reverser element increases the flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the velocity fuse above threshold value. In operation, the system defines a first movement speed when the velocity fuse is open, and a second movement speed when the velocity fuse is closed, thereby decreasing an effective exit orifice size of the hydraulic actuator when the assisting load increases the deploy rate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of and claims the benefitof priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/423,249, filed on Feb. 2,2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This instant specification relates to hydraulic flow control mechanismsfor thrust reverser actuation systems.

BACKGROUND

Thrust Reverser Actuation Systems (TRAS) power and control thedeployment of aircraft thrust reversers. Thrust reversal, also calledreverse thrust, involves the temporary diversion of a jet aircraft'sexhaust so that it acts against the forward travel of the aircraft,providing deceleration, for example, to help slow an aircraft aftertouch-down. Such devices are considered important for safe operations byairlines.

However, such devices can also negatively affect the operation of anaircraft if they are misused or malfunction. A number of aircraftaccidents have been traced back to accidental TRAS deployments. As such,many TRAS designs include mechanisms to control the deployment and stowspeeds so that the TRAS is moved safely from one position to anotherduring operation.

SUMMARY

In general, this document describes flow limiting valve mechanisms forthrust reverser actuation systems experiencing an assisting load duringoperation.

An example embodiment of the present system is a two-speed thrustreverser actuation system including a thrust reverser element configuredto move between a stowed position and a deployed position during normaluse in association with a jet engine, and arranged to experience anassisting load during movement of the thrust reverser element from thestowed position towards the deployed position, an isolation valveconfigured to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure, a hydraulicactuator configured to move the thrust reverser element between thestowed and deployed positions, the hydraulic actuator includes adirectional control valve comprising a regeneration feature throughwhich hydraulic fluid displaced from a second side of the actuator isreturned to a first side of the actuator in addition to the hydraulicfluid supplied from the isolation valve during operating in the deploymode. The regeneration feature includes a restrictor, and a velocityfuse arranged in parallel with the restrictor that is configured toclose when a flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the velocity fuse in afirst direction exceeds a threshold value. The hydraulic actuatorincludes a deploy port through which hydraulic fluid under pressure fromthe isolation valve is admitted to the first side of the actuator duringoperation of the actuator in a thrust reverser element deploy mode todisplace the thrust reverser element from its stowed position to thedeployed position, and a stow port through which hydraulic fluid isdisplaced from the second side of the actuator during operation in thedeploy mode.

In some instances, the velocity fuse and restrictor of the regenerationfeature define a first movement speed mode of the thrust reverserelement during the deploy mode whereby the velocity fuse is open andhydraulic fluid flows through both the restrictor and the velocity fuse,and a second movement speed mode of the thrust reverser element duringthe deploy mode whereby the velocity fuse is closed and hydraulic fluidflows through the restrictor alone.

In some instances, the two-speed thrust reverser actuation system isconfigured to switch from the first movement speed mode to the secondmovement speed mode when the assisting load on at the thrust reverserelement causes the flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the velocityfuse to exceed the threshold value and close the velocity fuse.

In some instances, the assisting load on the thrust reverser elementacts to increase a deploy rate of the thrust reverser element andincrease the flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the velocity fuse whenthe two-speed thrust reverser actuation system is in the first movementspeed mode.

In some instances, the assisting load on the thrust reverser elementincreases during movement of the thrust reverser element from the stowedposition towards the deployed position.

In some instances, the hydraulic actuator comprises a double-actinghydraulic piston and cylinder device.

In some instances, the threshold value of the velocity fuse correspondsto a maximum deploy rate of the thrust reverser element.

In some instances, the restrictor defines a first orifice and thevelocity fuse defines a second orifice, and the first orifice and thesecond orifice define an overall orifice of the regeneration feature.

In some instances, the velocity fuse is configured to open when the flowrate of hydraulic fluid through the regeneration feature is below aminimum value.

In some instances, the velocity fuse is configured to open when the flowrate of hydraulic fluid through the regeneration feature is zero.

In some instances, the hydraulic actuator is configured to move thethrust reverser element from the deployed position to the stowedposition in a thrust reverser element stow mode where hydraulic fluidunder pressure from the isolation valve is admitted through the stowport to the second side of the actuator, where the stow side of theactuator is the high pressure side during operation of the actuator inthe thrust reverser element stow mode to displace the thrust reverserelement from its deployed position to the stowed position, and hydraulicfluid is displaced from the first side of the actuator through thedeploy port during operation in the deploy mode.

In some instances, the hydraulic fluid flow through the regenerationfeature is reversed to switch the hydraulic actuator from the thrustreverser element deploy mode to the thrust reverser element stow mode,the hydraulic fluid flowing through the velocity fuse in an oppositedirection during the thrust reverser element stow mode.

In some instances, the velocity fuse is configured to open when thehydraulic fluid flows through the velocity fuse in the oppositedirection

In some instances, the thrust reverser element includes a translatingcowl mounted to a nacelle of a gas turbine engine and adapted totranslate a distance in an aft direction of the gas turbine engine, thetranslating cowl having a radially inner wall that defines a radiallyouter flow surface of a bypass duct defined by and between the nacelleand a core of the gas turbine engine, a fixed structure within thenacelle that does not translate with the translating cowl, the fixedstructure comprising at least one opening that is exposed to the bypassduct when the translating cowl is translated in the aft direction, andblocker doors mounted to the nacelle and having stowed positions anddeployed positions, at least a portion of the blocker doors beingdisposed in the bypass duct in the deployed position, and where theblocker doors are arranged to experience the assisting load from anairflow in the bypass duct.

In some instances, the hydraulic actuator is configured to deploy theblocker doors in a first direction and stow the blocker doors in anopposite direction.

In some instances, the directional control valve is configured to supplythe hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator via a supply line andreceive the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic actuator via a stow line,wherein the direction control valve enables regeneration of hydraulicfluid from the stow line to the supply line during the deploy mode.

In some instances, the isolation valve is configured to supply thehydraulic fluid to the directional control valve from a source ofhydraulic fluid under pressure.

In some instances, the velocity fuse and restrictor are incorporatedtogether into a single cartridge assembly.

In some instances, the hydraulic actuator comprises the velocity fuseand the restrictor.

Another example embodiment is a method of operating a thrust reverserelement. The method includes flowing hydraulic fluid to a deploy port ofa hydraulic actuator to move the thrust reverser element from a stowedpositioned to a deployed position, receiving a flow of hydraulic fluidfrom a stow port of the hydraulic actuator through a restrictor andvelocity fuse, the thrust reverser element receiving an assisting loadbetween the stowed position and the deployed position, the assistingload accelerating the movement of the thrust reverser element andincreasing the flow of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic actuatorthrough the velocity fuse, automatically closing the velocity fuse whenthe flow of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic actuator through velocityfuse exceeds a threshold value, the flow of hydraulic fluid from thehydraulic actuator passing through the restrictor alone, andautomatically opening the velocity fuse when the thrust reverser elementreaches the deployed position and the flow of hydraulic fluid from thestow port of the hydraulic actuator is below a minimum value.

In some instances, with the thrust reverser element in the deployedposition, the method includes flowing hydraulic fluid through therestrictor and velocity fuse to the stow port of a hydraulic actuator tomove the thrust reverser element from the deployed positioned to thestowed position, and receiving a flow of hydraulic fluid from the deployport of the hydraulic actuator.

The systems and techniques described here may provide one or more of thefollowing advantages. First, a system can provide a thrust reverseractuation system with a first speed and a second speed triggered by anassisting force on an element of the thrust reverser. Second, a systemcan reduce hydraulic fluid demand from an aircraft's hydraulic system.Third, a system can prevent cavitation and the associated damage thatcavitation can cause.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams that show an example of an enginesystem including a hidden blocker door thrust reverser system and athrust reverser actuation system (TRAS).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that shows an example of a two-speed TRAS.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram that shows another example of a two-speedTRAS in a de-energized state.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram that shows the example two-speed TRASsystem of FIG. 3 in a overstow state.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram that shows the example two-speed TRASsystem of FIG. 3 unlocking a track lock.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram that shows the example two-speed TRASsystem of FIG. 3 in a first deploy speed state.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram that shows the example two-speed TRASsystem of FIG. 3 in a second deploy speed state.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram that shows the example two-speed TRASsystem of FIG. 3 in a stow state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes systems and techniques for locking a thrustreverser actuation system (TRAS). Many TRAS systems include lockingmechanisms to keep jet engine reverser cowl sections from deployingaccidentally. Some existing TRAS locking mechanisms systems utilizelarge bias springs to bias locks toward the locked position and toovercome vibration and air load forces, and use hydraulic linearactuators with high power densities to overcome the bias springs inorder to release the locks. Such systems add weight and consume space,both of which can be limited, especially in aircraft applications.

Modern thrust reverser systems, such as the Hidden Blocker Door typeTRAS disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,904,751, experience high aiding loadstowards the end of the deploy stroke of the actuating arm of the systemand therefor have two very different speed regimes during deployment.Hidden blocker door type thrust reversers increases engine efficiency,but require changes to the TRAS to account for the high aiding loads.Specifically, when the hidden blocker door starts to deploy, the door isincreasing exposed to the bypass airflow of the engine mid-stroke andthus the tension load on the TRAS greatly increases when the hiddenblocker door starts to deploy. The high aiding loads increase the deployspeed of the thrust reverser and the TRAS needs to be able to controlthe deploy speed of the thrust reverser during the entire deploy motion.One solution is to have a TRAS with multiple deploy speeds, where theTRAS has a deploy speed specifically for when the thrust reverserexperiences high aiding loads. Conventional TRAS systems would eitherintroduce another solenoid valve (and associated control circuitry) forthe second speed and/or a flow rate regulator. However, this wouldintroduce a large amount of weight, cost and complexity into the system.

Conventional thrust reverser actuation systems often have fixed orificesto control the velocity of the thrust reverser during deployment, wherethe velocity of the thrust reverser is dependent upon the hydraulicpressure applied, the load applied to the actuators, and the sizing ofthe orifices. However, new reverser designs, such as the hidden blockerdoor design, place loads that have large changes in magnitude dependingupon the position of the thrust reverser during the deploy operation. Aconventional thrust reverser actuation system design would cause rapidchanges in velocity because the loads have large changes, whereas theorifices that control the velocity of the reverser do not change. Theconventional approach to rectify this situation would be to create atwo-speed thrust reverser actuation system by installing an additionalsolenoid valve piloting a spool and sleeve (or other) type valve tochange the velocity of the thrust reverser when the stroke reaches acertain position. However, this would necessitate the installation ofsensors to initiate the switching process, relays, electrical cabling,valves and other components that would greatly increase the complexity,cost and weight of the thrust reverser actuation system.

This disclosure describes a two-speed reverser with far less cost andweight than conventional technology would require. Some examples of thepresent disclosure limit the velocity of a TRAS by installing a velocityfuse and an orifice (or flow regulator) in hydraulic parallel in theactuator retract line of the TRAS. The outflow from the actuator retractport during deployment of the actuators is controlled by thisarrangement in order to provide two distinct speed regimes for theactuator during deployment. This is especially useful for controllingthe velocity of a transcowl when high aiding loads are present near theend of the actuator deploy stroke.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a simple fluidvelocity based solution by using a velocity fuse to create a two-speedthrust reverser actuation system that precludes the need for anyadditional sensors, valves, circuits and wiring. Examples includes avelocity fuse and an orifice (e.g., a restrictor or flow regulator)arranged in parallel in the hydraulic actuator retract line (i.e., stowline) line of a TRAS. The orifice is placed in parallel with thevelocity fuse to regulate the second speed of the actuator during thedeploy cycle. A flow regulator may be substituted for the orifice tohave further hydraulic control during and/or after the velocity fuse isclosed.

In operation, regenerative flow during a thrust reverser deploy cycleflows from an actuator retract port in parallel with a restrictor and avelocity fuse to the retract port of a direction control valve (DCV).The velocity fuse is similar to a standard check valve except that thespring is located on the opposite side of the poppet. The spring forceholds the poppet open instead of forcing it closed as in a standardcheck valve. Hydraulic fluid flow across the velocity fuse creates adifferential pressure across the poppet and thus a force on the poppetopposing the spring. When the flow reaches a pre-determined value, theforce on the poppet overcomes the spring force and the poppet closes.

During a first deploy speed, the velocity fuse is open and the flowresistance is less through the velocity fuse than the orifice so thehydraulic fluid flow from a retract port of a hydraulic actuator (i.e.,the velocity of the TRAS actuators) is not regulated by the orifice.

During the second speed, the high flow (caused by high aiding loadconditions on the transcowl or blocker door) causes the velocity fuse toclose and the velocity of the TRAS actuators is now entirely controlledby the flow orifice (or flow regulator) in parallel with the velocityfuse. This limits the velocity of the TRAS and thus the transcowl andblocker door. In some instances, the restrictor is tuned to permit amaximum TRAS deploy velocity, such as during Refused Takeoff (RTO).

By limiting the velocity of the transcowl, the transcowl and thrustreverser structure does not have to be designed for high impact loadsthat would otherwise be created by high aiding loads on the transcowl.In some instances, a flow regulator is used instead of a simplerestrictor if regulated constant flow is needed at the second speed.However, a flow regulator is more costly than a simple restrictororifice.

This invention could also be used to provide two speeds for the actuatorretract cycle (TRAS stow) as well as for deploy cycle of the TRAS asdescribed above. FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams that show anexample of an engine system including a hidden blocker door thrustreverser system and a thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS). FIG. 1Aillustrates a cross-section of a high-bypass turbofan engine 1 includinga core engine 2 and a fan housing 3. The fan housing 3 includes a thrustreverser assembling including a hidden blocker door 6 and a thrustreverser cascade 6. In operation, a fan assembly located in front of thecore engine 2 includes ingests air 4 into the fan housing 3, and a largeportion of the air 4 that enters the fan housing 3 is bypassed to therear of the engine 1 to generate additional thrust. The bypassed air 4passes through an annular bypass duct 7 between the fan housing 3 andthe core engine 2. A thrust reverser assembly is show in the fan housing3 in a stowed position, in which the bypass air 4 is not being directedacross the thrust reverser cascade 6, the hidden blocker door 6 is notpositioned in the bypass airflow 4, and a transcowl (shown in FIG. 1B)is positioned over the thrust reverser cascade 6.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional illustration of Detail A of FIG. 1A withthe hidden blocker door 6 in a partially deployed position in the bypassduct 7. FIG. 1B shows the hidden blocker door 6 operatively coupled to athrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) 18, which includes a deploy arm19 connected to the hidden blocker door 6 and a transcowl 8. Inoperation, the TRAS 18 includes hydraulic actuators that translate thedeploy arm 19 and move the hidden blocker door 6 into the bypass duct 7(indicated by arrow 14) and slide the transcowl 8 in an aft direction(indicated by arrow 15) to expose the thrust reverser cascade 6 to thebypass duct 7. With the transcowl 8 translated away from the thrustreverser cascade 6, airflow 11 is deflected by the intrusion of thehidden blocker door 6 into the bypass airflow 4 in the bypass duct, andthe thrust reverser cascade 6 reversers a portion of the momentum of thedeflected airflow 11 as a thrust reversed airflow 12 that exits the fanhousing 3 through the thrust reverser cascade 6. As the hidden blockerdoor 6 deploys (indicated by arrow 14) into the bypass duct 7, a portion13 of the bypass air 4 that passes the hidden blocker door 6 decreases,and the increased deflection of the deflected air 11 causes an increasein a force (indicated by arrows 16) applied to the hidden blocker door6. During the deploy motion of the TRAS 18, the force 16 will server toaccelerate the deploy rate of the hidden blocker door 6 into the bypassduct 7. In some instances, the force 16 transitions the deploy arm 16(and actuators) of the TRAS 18 from applying a deploy force once to thehidden blocker door 6 to applying a resisting force (opposite the deployforce) in order to slow the deploy speed of the hidden blocker door 6 asit is being forced open by the deflection 11 of the bypass air 4 intothe thrust reverser cascade 5. The deploy operation is complete when thehidden blocker door 6 is fully deployed into the bypass duct 7.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that shows an example of a two-speedthrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) 100 which may be used to actuatethe thrust reverser elements (e.g., the hidden blocker door 6 andtranscowl 8) of FIGS. 1A and 1B. The TRAS 100 includes an isolationvalve 210 connected to the hydraulic system of an aircraft engine, whichincludes a supply of high pressure hydraulic fluid 10 and a hydraulicfluid return 20. The isolation valve 210 is connected by hydraulic fluidlines (described in more detail below) to a direction control valve(DCV) 220 and a track lock mechanism 230. The track lock mechanic 230 isconfigured to engage and release a locking mechanism on a movement trackof a thrust reverser system of the aircraft engine. The DCV 220 isconfigured to operate a hydraulic actuator 300 which is configured tomove a thrust reverser element 400 of the thrust reverser system of theaircraft engine. The track lock 230 is an example of a tertiary lockthat can be used on the TRAS 100 to provide a third level of protectionagainst inadvertent in-flight deployment of the thrust reverser element400. In some instances, alternative tertiary locks such as Sync Locks(as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,020) or hook locks (asshown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,109,536) are be used instead ofthe track lock 230.

The isolation valve 210 includes a solenoid valve 213 to control a flowof high pressure hydraulic fluid to the track lock 230 along a tracklock supply line 214 a and to the DCV 220 along a stow supply line 214b. The isolation valve 210 also includes two solenoid valves 211, 212configured to control a flow of high pressure hydraulic fluid to the DCVvalve via a deploy supply line 215. A hydraulic fluid return line 216carries low pressure hydraulic fluid return from the DCV 220 and thetrack lock 230. The hydraulic actuator 300 includes a deploy port 301and a stow port 302. In some instances, the hydraulic actuator is adouble-acting hydraulic piston and cylinder device having first andsecond sides of the piston, where hydraulic fluid under pressure fromthe isolation valve 210 is admitted to the first side of the actuatorthrough the deploy port 301 during operation of the actuator in a thrustreverser element deploy mode to displace the thrust reverser element 400from a stowed position to the deployed position, and hydraulic fluid isdisplaced from a second side of the actuator through the stow port 302during operation in the deploy mode. The DCV 220 is connected to thehydraulic actuator 300 with a deploy line 221 and a stow line 222. Thedeploy line 221 is coupled to the deploy port 301 of the hydraulicactuator 300, and the stow line 222 is coupled to the stow port 302 ofthe hydraulic actuator 300. The stow line 222 includes a resistor 223and a velocity fuse 224 arranged in parallel.

In a deploy operation, and as described in more detail in connectionwith FIGS. 3-6, a first TRAS deploy speed occurs when high pressurehydraulic fluid is supplied to the DCV 220 via the deploy supply line215 and the stow supply line 214 b, the DCV 220 provides a flow ofhydraulic fluid to the deploy port 301 of the hydraulic actuator 300.The high pressure of the hydraulic fluid at the deploy port 301 movesthe thrust reverser element 400 and the movement of the thrust reverserelement 400 drives a flow of hydraulic fluid from the stow port 302,through the stow line 222, and through the restrictor and velocity fuse224. The DCV receives the flow of hydraulic fluid from the stow line 222and enables regeneration of the flow back to the deploy line 221. Atsome point during the deploy operation, the thrust reverser element 400receives an assisting load that increases the deploy rate of the thrustreverser element 400, which increases the flow rate of the hydraulicfluid from the stow port 302 of the hydraulic actuator 300 and thereforethrough the velocity fuse 224. When the flow rate through the velocityfuse 224 increases beyond a maximum amount, the velocity fuse 224closes, and the hydraulic fluid flow from the stow port 302 now travelsto the DCV 220 through the resistor 223 alone. The closed velocity fuse224 reduces the effective orifice size of the stow line 222 andrepresents the second deploy speed mode of the TRAS 100. The followingFIGS. 3-7 show a deploy operation, and a stow operation, in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram that shows another example of a two-speedTRAS 100 in a de-energized state 200. FIG. 3 illustrates the basicconfiguration in the stow condition 200. Hydraulic lines illustratedwith solid lines represent high pressure hydraulic fluid is beingsupplied, and hydraulic fluid lines drawn with dotted lines represent noconnection to the hydraulic return. FIG. 3 shows the TRAS system 100 ofFIG. 2 with additional details illustrated. In FIG. 3 the internalhydraulic lines of the isolation valve 210, DCV 220, and track lock 230are shown for completeness. In FIG. 3, three hydraulic actuators 300 arearranged to move the thrust reverser element 400 and the movement of thethree hydraulic actuators 300 is synchronized by a mechanical synchshaft 229. FIG. 3 shows that the track lock 230 includes a solenoidvalve 233 to control the supply of hydraulic fluid from the track locksupply line 214 a. The track lock 230 actuates a lock pawl having astowed end 231 and a deployed end 232 configured to engage a stowed lockslot 391 and a deployed lock slot 392 of a slider 390 of the thrustreverser system. In FIG. 3, the solenoid valves 211, 212 of theisolation valve 210 are de-energized and the high pressure hydraulicsupply 10 from the engine is disconnected from the TRAS 100. In thede-energized state 200 shown in FIG. 3, a poppet in the velocity fuse224 is held open by its internal spring.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram that shows the two-speed TRAS 100 systemof FIG. 3 in an overstow state 201. FIG. 4 illustrates the basicconfiguration in the overstow condition. In FIG. 4, the solenoid valve213 of the isolation valve 210 is coupled to the track lock supply line214 a and a stow supply line 214 b is energized, as well as one solenoidvalve 212 of the two coupled to the deploy supply line 215. With thetrack lock supply line 214 a and a stow supply line 214 b pressurized,hydraulic fluid flow from the isolation valve 210 is ported, by the DCV220, to the stow line 222 and, therefore, to the stow ports 302 of thehydraulic actuators 300. Hydraulic fluid pressure at the stow ports 302retracts chambers of the actuators 300 in order to unload the lockingelements within the actuators 300.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram that shows the two-speed TRAS system ofFIG. 3 unlocking the track lock 230. FIG. 5 illustrates the tertiarylock (i.e., track lock 230) unlocking while overstow is beingmaintained. The track lock solenoid valve 233 is energized and the highpressure hydraulic fluid in the track lock 230 disengages the stowedlock pawl 231 from the stowed lock slot 391 of the slider 390.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram that shows the two-speed TRAS system ofFIG. 3 in a first deploy speed state 202. Both solenoid valves 211, 212of the deploy supply line 215 of the isolation valve 210 are energizedand hydraulic pressure flows to the DCV 220 where it is ported to thedeploy port 301 (head end) of the actuator 300 via the deploy line 221.Hydraulic pressure is also ported to the stow ports 302 of the actuators300 using the regenerative feature of the DCV 220. Specifically,regenerative flow is enabled from the actuator stow port 302 (i.e., theretract port, or the rod end of the piston) in parallel through theresistor 223 (or flow regulator) and the 224 velocity fuse to the stowport of the DCV. Regenerative flow is the flow that is recirculated fromthe actuator stow ports 302 to the deploy ports 301 during the deploycycle (actuators 300 are extending). The flow from stow ports 302 isadded to the system pressure from the isolation valve 214 b in the DCV220. The sum of these two fluid flows is then ported to the deploy ports301 during actuator 300 deployment of the thrust reverser element 400.This regenerative technique reduces fluid flow demand from the aircrafthydraulic system, otherwise isolation valve flow 214 b would have tosupply all of the fluid to deploy the actuators. In operation, hydraulicfluid flows, as indicated by arrow 601, into the deploy ports 301 of thehydraulic actuators 300 and the thrust reverser element 400 is moved inthe deploy direction, as indicated by arrow 604. Because the hydraulicactuators 300 are extending, hydraulic fluid flows out of the stow port302 and through the velocity fuse 224, indicated by arrow 603, andthrough the resistor 223, indicated by arrow 602.

In general, so long as a certain flow rate from the actuators 300 is notexceeded, the velocity fuse 224 remains open due to the spring forcekeeping the velocity fuse 244 open.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram that shows the two-speed TRAS system ofFIG. 3 in a second deploy speed state 204. The DCV 220 is energized andhydraulic pressure is ported to the deploy ports 301 (head end) of theactuators. Hydraulic pressure is also ported to the stow ports 302 ofthe actuators 300 (regenerative type DCV 220). Immediately prior to thesecond deploy speed condition 204 of FIG. 7, regenerative flow from theactuator retract port (rod end) flows in parallel through the resistor223 (or regulator) and the velocity fuse 224 to the stow port of theDCV. However, in FIG. 7 an assisting force 605 is being applied to thethrust reverser element 400 and the assisting force increases themovement of the thrust reverser element in the deploy direction,indicated by arrow 604. The increased movement rate of the thrustreverser element 400 causes the flow rate through the velocity fuse 224to be exceeded and the velocity fuse 224 closes. The velocity fuse 224remains closed because the force created by the differential pressurefrom the hydraulic fluid flow across the velocity fuse 224 poppetovercomes the spring force keeping the velocity fuse 244 open. In thisinstance, the only fluid path left through the stow line 222 is throughthe resistor 223 (or regulator), thus limiting the maximum velocity ofthe thrust reverser element 400 during deployment by decreasing theeffective orifice size of the stow line 222, compared to when thevelocity fuse 224 was open.

The velocity fuse 224 re-opens when thrust reverser element 400 reachesthe end of deploy stroke, because fluid flow ceases and thereforeremoves the fluid force on velocity fuse poppet. The bias springre-opens poppet velocity fuse 224 so that stow action of TRAS 100 isunaffected and reverse-flow of fluid through the velocity fuse 224 isallowed.

Additionally, aspects of the present system prevent possibility ofcavitation in the hydraulic fluid lines when the assisting force 605 isdriving the movement of the thrust reverser element 400. For example, ifthe actuators 400 were permitted to extend faster (due to high aidingload 605) than isolation valve 210 supply line 214 b can supply make-upflow (make-up flow being determined by the actuator 300 bore area andthe actuator 300 velocity, minus any regeneration flow) then cavitationoccurs. Additionally, the pressure in the actuator's 300 extend cavitywill become sub-atmospheric and this can cause the hydraulic fluid toboil and cause damage to the actuator 300. In contrast, the closedvelocity fuse 224 limits the actuator velocity (i.e., thrust reverser400 deploy speed) and thereby ensures that the fluid flow from thesupply like 214 b is reduced to a level below a cavitation thresholdwhen the thrust reverser element 400 experiences expected assistingloads 605.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram that shows the two-speed TRAS system ofFIG. 3 in a stow state 205. One of the two solenoid valves 211, 212 ofthe deploy supply line 215 of the isolation valve 210 is de-energized.With the velocity fuse 224 open, hydraulic fluid flow from the stowsupply line 214 b is ported to the stow ports 302 chambers of theactuators 300 through the resistor 223 and velocity fuse 224, indicatedby arrows 801 and 802 respectively, in order to retract (stow) thethrust reverser element, indicated by arrow 803. Hydraulic fluid flowsout of the deploy ports 301 and is returned to the hydraulic fluidreturn 20 by the hydraulic fluid return line 216.

In the stow state 205, the track lock 230 includes a spring biased to alocked position and the pawl 231, 232 reengages the slider 390 to securethe thrust reverser element 400 in the stowed position when the thrustreverser element 400 reaches the end of the stow movement.

Additionally, in some instances, the principal of operation of thevelocity fuse 224 described above is used to provide two TRAS retractspeeds. Some TRASes 100 are normally extended during flight and theactuators 300 retract to deploy the thrust reverser element 400. Forexample, bucket-type TRASes 100, such those used on the B737-200.

Although a few implementations have been described in detail above,other modifications are possible. For example, the logic flows depictedin the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequentialorder, to achieve desirable results. In addition, other steps may beprovided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, andother components may be added to, or removed from, the describedsystems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a thrust reverser element,the method comprising: flowing hydraulic fluid to a deploy port of ahydraulic actuator to move the thrust reverser element from a stowedposition to a deployed position; receiving a flow of hydraulic fluidfrom a stow port of the hydraulic actuator through a restrictor and avelocity fuse; automatically closing the velocity fuse when a flow rateof the flow of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic actuator through thevelocity fuse exceeds a threshold value, the flow of hydraulic fluidfrom the hydraulic actuator passing through the restrictor alone; andautomatically opening the velocity fuse when the thrust reverser elementreaches the deployed position and the flow of hydraulic fluid from thestow port of the hydraulic actuator is below a minimum value.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: with the thrust reverser element in thedeployed position, flowing hydraulic fluid through the restrictor andthe velocity fuse to the stow port of the hydraulic actuator to move thethrust reverser element from the deployed position to the stowedposition; and receiving, at a fluid return, a flow of hydraulic fluidfrom the deploy port of the hydraulic actuator.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein a two-speed thrust reverser actuation system comprises: thethrust reverser element, configured to move between the stowed positionand the deployed position during normal use in association with a jetengine, and arranged to experience an assisting load during movement ofthe thrust reverser element from the stowed position toward the deployedposition, an isolation valve configured to supply hydraulic fluid underpressure; the hydraulic actuator, configured to move the thrust reverserelement between the stowed position and the deployed position, thehydraulic actuator comprising: the deploy port, through which hydraulicfluid under pressure from the isolation valve is admitted to a firstside of the hydraulic actuator during operation of the hydraulicactuator in a thrust reverser element deploy mode to displace the thrustreverser element from the stowed position to the deployed position, andthe stow port, through which hydraulic fluid is displaced from a secondside of the hydraulic actuator during operation in the deploy mode; anda directional control valve comprising a regeneration feature throughwhich hydraulic fluid displaced from the second side of the hydraulicactuator is returned to the first side of the hydraulic actuator inaddition to the hydraulic fluid supplied from the isolation valve duringoperation in the deploy mode, the regeneration feature comprising: therestrictor, and the velocity fuse, arranged in parallel with therestrictor and configured to close when the flow rate of hydraulic fluidthrough the velocity fuse in a first direction exceeds the thresholdvalue.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the restrictor defines a firstorifice and the velocity fuse defines a second orifice, and the firstorifice and the second orifice define an overall orifice of theregeneration feature.
 5. The method of claim 3, further comprisingregenerating hydraulic fluid from a stow line to a supply line duringthe deploy mode, wherein the directional control valve is configured tosupply the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator via the supply lineand receive the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic actuator via the stowline.
 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising supplying, by theisolation valve, the hydraulic fluid to the directional control valvefrom a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure.
 7. The method of claim3, wherein the threshold value of the velocity fuse corresponds to amaximum deploy rate of the thrust reverser element.
 8. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising opening the velocity fuse based on the flowrate of hydraulic fluid through the regeneration feature dropping belowthe minimum value.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the velocity fuseis configured to open when the flow rate of hydraulic fluid through theregeneration feature is zero.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: admitting hydraulic fluid under pressure from the isolationvalve through the stow port to the second side of the hydraulicactuator, where a stow side of the hydraulic actuator is a high pressureside during operation of the hydraulic actuator in a thrust reverserelement stow mode; displacing the thrust reverser element from thedeployed position toward the stowed position; displacing hydraulic fluidfrom the first side of the hydraulic actuator through the deploy portduring operation in the deploy mode; and moving, by the hydraulicactuator, the thrust reverser element from the deployed position to thestowed position in the thrust reverser element stow mode.
 11. The methodof claim 10, further comprising: reversing the hydraulic fluid flowthrough the regeneration feature; switching, by the reversing, thehydraulic actuator from the thrust reverser element deploy mode to thethrust reverser element stow mode; and flowing the hydraulic fluidthrough the velocity fuse in a second direction opposite the firstdirection.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising opening thevelocity fuse based on the hydraulic fluid flowing through the velocityfuse in the second direction.
 13. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: opening the velocity fuse during a deploy mode; flowinghydraulic fluid through both the restrictor and the velocity fuse duringthe deploy mode; moving the thrust reverser element at a first speedduring the deploy mode; closing the velocity fuse during the deploymode; flowing hydraulic fluid through the restrictor alone during thedeploy mode; and moving the thrust reverser element at a second speedduring the deploy mode.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:receiving an assisting load at the thrust reverser element; urging, bythe assisting load, the flow rate of hydraulic fluid through thevelocity fuse; exceeding, by the flow rate, the threshold value;closing, based on the exceeding, the velocity fuse; and switching fromthe first speed to the second speed based on the closing of the velocityfuse.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: increasing, by theassisting load on the thrust reverser element, a deploy rate of thethrust reverser element; and increasing, by the assisting load on thethrust reverser element, the flow rate of hydraulic fluid through thevelocity fuse in a first movement speed mode.
 16. The method of claim14, wherein the assisting load on the thrust reverser element increasesduring movement of the thrust reverser element from the stowed positiontowards the deployed position.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein thethrust reverser element comprises: a translating cowl mounted to anacelle of a gas turbine engine and adapted to translate a distance inan aft direction of the gas turbine engine, the translating cowl havinga radially inner wall that defines a radially outer flow surface of abypass duct defined by and between the nacelle and a core of the gasturbine engine; a fixed structure within the nacelle that does nottranslate with the translating cowl, the fixed structure comprising atleast one opening that is exposed to the bypass duct when thetranslating cowl is translated in the aft direction; and blocker doorsmounted to the nacelle and having blocker door stowed positions andblocker door deployed positions, at least a portion of the blocker doorsbeing disposed in the bypass duct in the deployed position; and whereinthe blocker doors are arranged to experience an assisting load from anairflow in the bypass duct.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thehydraulic actuator is configured to deploy the blocker doors in a firstdirection and stow the blocker doors in an opposite direction.
 19. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the velocity fuse and the restrictor areincorporated together into a single cartridge assembly.
 20. The methodof claim 1, wherein the hydraulic actuator comprises the velocity fuseand the restrictor.